"Thus it is said that one who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements."
Sun Tzu, The Art of War.

War on Terrorism

Monday, August 27, 2012

Afghanistan: Texas Army National Guard security teams ensure mission accomplishment for reconstruction team

By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Marasky

Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan(8/27/12) - As OH-58 Kiowa scout helicopters
flew overhead, it was up to Soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard’s
Company A, 1st Battalion, 143rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne) andAfghan National Army personnel to provide
outer security while members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Kunar’s
engineering section conducted quality assurance checks at the Shigal Girl’s
School.

Having the unit pulling security here and
during other site visits and missions of PRT Kunar has translated to successful
mission accomplishment for the PRT.

A key factor in the team’s success has
been meeting the tactical directives set forth by the International Security
Assistance Force commander, said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Broyles, a platoon
sergeant with the unit, adding that specifically using the appropriate amount
of force to combat the enemy has been an area in which his unit has excelled.

“It comes right down to the scope of
their duties and how they are conducting themselves, which has been
exceptional,” he said. “At no point have they been over-aggressive or
under-aggressive, it’s a very fine line that a Soldier has to walk, and our guys
have done an extremely good job of walking that path.”

The good work done by the security force
element has been noted by the PRT leadership as well, as Navy Cmdr. Michael
Yesunas, PRT Kunar commander, complimented them on their professionalism and
military bearing.

“They have allowed us to safely continue
our mission with confidence, poise and professionalism,” he said. “They always
use the amount of force necessary to take the fight to the enemy and protect
the people of Afghanistan at the same time.”

That professionalism is visible not only
in the way the security forces conduct themselves, but in the way the
engineers, agricultural specialists and civil affairs personnel, as well as key
leaders within the PRT and local governance conduct their missions without fear
thanks to the efforts of the soldiers, said Yesunas.

“The nature of the PRT mission is heavy
with meetings with local leaders, and speaking to them and using what they’re
giving you to help them with a way forward with their country,” he said. “When
I’m in these meetings I can’t concentrate on my security, but I have absolute
confidence that we’re safe and the guys outside are watching over us.”

That’s one less thing for Yesunas to
worry about.

“I don’t have to worry about if they’ll
do the right thing or not, I know they will, and they’ll keep us all safe,”
said Yesunas. “I think we have the best platoon in Afghanistan, and I’d put our
guys against any enemy, and I know they’d come out as good or better than
anyone else.”

The day at the school ended quietly,
with the engineers conducting their assessment and heading back home without
incident, but confident that if needed, the team’s security element would be
there to protect them.